The xx come to Utah this coming Tuesday

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The minimalist rock band The xx spent two years recording its debut album at night, and the trio's Oliver Sim said in a phone interview that "we didn't know anyone outside of the band would listen to it."

He was wrong, very wrong, as the self-titled album was one of 2009's most intriguing albums, with bombast and decorations scaled back in favor of delicately crafted arrangements.

The band wasn't an overnight success, as Sim and creative partner Romy Madley Croft had been writing songs since they were 15, later to be joined by Jamie Smith.

"At 15, I wouldn't have been able to handle [success]," Sim said. "I would have passed out."

He still experiences stage fright, but to him it's a bonus as the band plays sonsg from its new album "Coexist." "It it ever becomes easy, that will be bad, because it will mean I don't care," he said.

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